🌎Activity #5: Deserts of Utah

NOTE TO TEACHER:   Newsela 

Access the article: "Deserts, Explained"

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Learning Objective

I will know what a desert is and how it is formed.  I will understand the importance of deserts in a community and identify the major deserts found in Utah.

Assignment

Understanding the physical features and natural resources that surround you in your environment is extremely important.  In today's lesson you will be learning about the deserts that are found in Utah and the impact they can have on the people who live in the state.  You will also be identifying the major deserts found in Utah and placing them on your Interactive Map of Utah.  

Guidelines

1. Watch the video on deserts below
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2. Next, read the Newsela article titled "Deserts, Explained," and answer the questions below.
3. Use the image below to locate the following deserts to add to your Utah Interactive Map: Great Salt Lake Desert, Escalante Desert and the Sevier Desert.
4. Make sure that you clearly label the deserts on your interactive map and that you add a symbol for the deserts in your map key. 

Questions: Answer the questions below in a text box.  

1.  About how much rainfall does an area of land receive to be considered a desert?
2.  On how many continents can we find deserts?  Is this surprising to you, why or why not?
3.  In 2-3 complete sentences identify and explain two huge threats that impact deserts.
4.  Describe in 2-3 sentences how a coyote can survive in the harsh desert climate. 
5. In 2-3 complete sentences, explain how the desert can have an impact on the plants, animals and humans in Utah.